Philadelphia Officers Injured in Shooting While Responding to Call

Two police officers in Philadelphia are currently hospitalized after being shot while responding to a call in the city’s western part. The incident occurred early Saturday.

One officer, age 40 and a father of two, suffered three gunshot wounds, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. The second officer, age 33 with five children, was shot 12 times.

During a news conference, Bethel expressed his pride in the department’s officers. “I am so damn proud of the men and women who serve in this department. Consistently, they go into danger, and they give their lives for this job,” Bethel stated. He encouraged public support for law enforcement officers.

The officers were dispatched shortly after 12:20 a.m. to 140 North 52nd Street following reports of an armed individual on a porch. Upon arrival around 12:50 a.m., the officers faced intense gunfire while on the porch.

Additional officers and a SWAT team arrived soon after and found the injured officers. The suspect had reportedly fired at them from an alley. ©Al Bello/Getty Images

The SWAT team located the suspect in a tree and took him into custody. The officers are now at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. The specifics of their condition remain unclear.

The suspect, who has not been named yet, possessed two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to one of the officers. The Philadelphia Police Department has not yet commented publicly.